Afghan Taliban 'willing' to talk to peace council

Islamabad, June 10 (ANI): The Afghan Taliban is willing to hold talks with the government-backed peace council, an Afghan official said.

US Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan James Dobbins met President Hamid Karzai in late May and informed him about the Taliban's willingness to hold talks with the Afghan High Peace Council.

According to the Express Tribune, Dobbins, who later visited Islamabad, is believed to have discussed the Taliban proposal with Pakistani officials.

The source said that the Afghan government has not agreed with certain pre-conditions put forward by the Taliban and discussions are underway to find out a solution.

The Afghan government wants the Taliban to publicly denounce al Qaeda and hold direct talks with the Afghan peace council in Qatar, where the Taliban have their political office, the report said.

Meanwhile, Karzai has left for Qatar with a high-level delegation, where he will discuss Afghanistan's peace process and bilateral relations between the two countries, the presidential palace said.

Karzai will attend the 10th annual US-Islamic World Forum in Doha and is scheduled to deliver a speech at the Forum about Afghanistan's vision on regional and international issues.

The Afghan official said that President Karzai, who is also accompanied by Head of High Peace Council Salahuddin Rabbani, will get more information about the Taliban's talks offer during his visit, the report added. (ANI)

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